Former FAI President Pat Quigley to be laid to rest

FORMER FAI President Pat Quigley is to be laid to rest on Thursday. 

He will repose in Coady’s Funeral Home, Castlebar, (F23 XY63) on Wednesday (January 3) from 4pm with removal at 7pm to his home.

Removal from his residence on Thursday morning at 10.30am for Requiem Mass at 11.30am in the Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar.

He will be laid to rest afterwards in Ballyheane Cemetery.

The FAI have been among those paying tribute to the well-known soccer administrator since his passing on Sunday at the age of 78.

In a statement, the FAI described the Ballyheane native as ‘the doyen of football in the west of Ireland’.

Quigley was the first Mayo man to be elected President of the FAI Youth Council and the first Connacht man to serve as FAI President from 1996 to 200. 

“During his time with the Mayo Football League, Pat was one of those instrumental in the introduction of club licensing and summer football, both firsts for Irish grassroots football.

“First elected onto the then FAI Council in 1973, where he sat for over 40 years, Pat also served as chair of the Connacht Football Association for many years and was a well-respected match Delegate with the League of Ireland.”

Paying tribute to, FAI president Paul Cooke said that Irish football had ‘lost a great man with Pat’s passing’.

“Throughout his life Pat was a football visionary for the game, firstly in Castlebar, then in Mayo and across Connacht and also on the national and international stage where he represented his country with such pride and distinction at home and abroad.

“His influence on Irish football cannot be overstated.

“Pat was one of many volunteers whose tireless dedication grew our game in Mayo.

“His standing was also immense with the FAI, with the League of Ireland and with UEFA and FIFA.

“Pat was hugely committed to football and the only thing he was more devoted to was his family,” he added before extending his sympathies to his family. 

Pat was predeceased by his wife Eleanor (née Brady), who passed away in April 2023. He is survived by their daughter Patricia and her partner Charlie, son Shane and his wife Jess, grandchildren Aaron, Joshua and Tara, sister-in-law Nan Clarke (Ballina), relatives, neighbours and friends.